Mark Richt, Andruw Jones headline 2023 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductees

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame will induct 12 new members in Macon Friday as part of its 2023 class, including former Georgia head coach Mark Richt and star Braves outfielder Andruw Jones.

The GSHF events started Friday with a golf tournament at Barrington Hall followed by the Jacket Ceremony and cocktail hour at the Hall of Fame beginning at 6 p.m. A free fan-fest and autograph session begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and the induction ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m., both at the hall. All events except the fan-fest require tickets that fans buy over the phone.

Here’s a look at the GSHF Class of 2023:

Mark Richt

As an iconic football coach for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2001 to 2015, Richt led the Bulldogs to a 126-45 record and won two SEC championships. He coached the likes of Aaron Murray, Matt Stafford and A.J Green, among others.

Andruw Jones

Jones was an iconic part of the renowned Atlanta Braves dynasty, playing centerfield for the latter part of the 1990s and into the 2000s. He established himself as a star, becoming one of baseball’s best defensive players ever and winning 10 Gold Gloves across his career.

Demaryius Thomas

Thomas was one of Georgia Tech’s best football players in recent history, racking up more than 2,300 receiving yards in his Yellow Jacket career after being a high school star at West Laurens. The Georgia native went on to a stellar pro career, appearing in four Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. Thomas passed away in 2021.

Ron Reed

Reed is one of just 13 players to ever play in both the NBA and MLB, but he garnered his Georgia stardom in the latter league. After a few seasons playing for the Detroit Pistons, Reed switched to playing baseball and eventually became a star pitcher for the Braves. He won 146 games in his 19-year career and was an All-Star in 1968.

Steve Webber

Webber was an all-time great UGA baseball coach, leading the team from 1981-1996. He guided the Bulldogs to a College World Series title in 1990 and coached for several teams across his career. He passed away in 2022.

Jackie Bradford

Bradford is a Georgia basketball legend, becoming a fixture as a coach after notching playing time at Lipscomb University. He won three state championships as a coach with the Greater Atlanta Christian School and was president of the Atlanta Tip-Off Club from 1975-2004.

Buck Godfrey

Godfrey left his mark on Georgia high school football, becoming head coach at Southwest Dekalb High in 1983 and winning 273 wins across 30 years at the school. He also won 13 region titles and a GHSA 4A state championship in 1995.

Shawn Jones

Jones was a star quarterback with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, leading them to a National Championship in the 1990 season while amassing more than 9,000 yards and 35 wins across his career. He was also a dominant high school player at Thomasville High School.

Stan Kasten

Kasten is known as an architect of great baseball teams, chief among them the 1990s Braves dynasty. After working as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks in the early 80s, he became president of the Braves in 1986 and helped the team to its streak of 14 consecutive division titles and a World Series ring.

Al Parker

Parker is a junior tennis legend, as he won a record-setting 25 junior titles and is the only player to ever win all the national championships in a single year. Parker etched his name in the state history books at UGA, where he was named the Academic All-American of the Year in 1991.

Jack Stallings

Stallings was a baseball coach for multiple high-level programs including Wake Forest and Florida State, but he was known for his long stretch with Georgia Southern. Stallings led the Eagles to the College World Series in 1990 and was twice named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.

Bert Williams

Williams was a legend in Middle Georgia thanks to his time with Georgia Military College as head football coach. Williams amassed a 156-68 record and led the Bulldogs to three title game appearances and one NJCAA National Championship. He passed away in 2022.